Do you feel drowsy during the day? Do you snore loudly, keeping yourself or your partner awake at night? If you’re experiencing unexplainable symptoms on a daily basis, you may be suffering from sleep apnea.
What is Sleep Apnea?
Sleep apnea is a condition that causes your breathing to stop periodically during sleep. Each time your breathing stops, you will wake up abruptly to reopen your airway. Most individuals with sleep apnea do not remember these nighttime awakenings because they are so brief, but these individuals feel tired and unfocused throughout the next day.
The constant wake-sleep, wake-sleep cycle prevents sleep apnea patients from getting enough deep sleep. This lack of sleep disturbs their health and their quality of life.
What are the Symptoms of Sleep Apnea?
- Difficulty sleeping
- Loud snoring or gasping noises during sleep
- Waking up during the night
- Morning headaches or sore throat
- Falling asleep during the day
- Memory loss or difficulty learning
- Accident proneness
- Daytime grogginess and drowsiness
- Mood swings
Is Sleep Apnea Dangerous?
Sleep apnea is a serious medical problem, because when left untreated, it can lead to:
- High blood pressure
- Heart failure
- Stroke
- Weight gain
- Danger while driving or operating machinery
- Depression
How is Sleep Apnea Treated?
Treatments for sleep apnea at Smilecology depend on your unique needs. Different treatments include:
Behavioral | Losing weight, stopping smoking, changing sleeping positions
Oral devices | Custom-made devices position the mouth in a way that prevents throat blockage.
Surgery | For more severe cases, surgical intervention may be the best option.
If you suspect that you or your family members are suffering from sleep apnea, contact our experienced team at Smilecology today. To start enjoying deep sleep again, call our office to schedule your visit.
